Up to 20 correctional officers 'subpoenaed in Jeffrey Epstein death investigation'

As many as 20 correctional officers who work at the federal detention centre where Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide received grand jury subpoenas last week relating to an investigation into his death, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Epstein, the 66-year-old multi-milionaire who was awaiting trial on federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing underage girls and running a sex trafficking ring, was found unresponsive in his cell August 10. His death was ruled suicide by hanging.

Investigators want to talk to the lieutenants who were in charge that night to get details on rounds that were not made, the source said.

Two prison staff members guarding Epstein's unit failed to check on him that night for about three hours, The New York Times reported last week, citing several law enforcement and prison officials with knowledge of the investigation.

Both the FBI and the Justice Department's Inspector General are investigating the circumstances around Epstein's death.

Attorney General William Barr previously said officials uncovered "serious irregularities" at the jail.

Jail guards on duty the night of Epstein's death are suspected of falsifying log entries to show they were checking on inmates every half-hour as required, according to several people familiar with the matter.